Pyridinic sulfonamide derivatives method of production and use thereof

ABSTRACT

New pyridinic sulfonamide derivatives represented by a general formula (I), wherein R1, represents a mono- or polyhalogenated C1–12-alkyl or a mono- or poly-halogenated C3–8-cycloalkyl group. The method of production of such derivatives and their use as active therapeutic substance in the treatment of diseases such as inflammation, arthrosis, cancer, angiogenesis and asthma are also reported.

This is a nationalization of PCT/EP02/10532 filed Sep. 19, 2002 and published in English.

The present invention relates to new pyridinic sulfonamides, to their method of production, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such derivatives and their use as active therapeutic substance in the treatment of diseases.

The new pyridinic sulfonamide derivatives, according to the invention, are represented by a general formula (I):

wherein

-   -   A represents a Nitrogen or a —N═O group;     -   X represents Oxygen, Sulphur or an element selected from the         group consisting of (—NR₃, —CR₃R₄, —SO, —SO₂, or —CO); wherein         R₃ and R₄ which can be identical or different, denotes each         independently one element selected from the group consisting of         (hydrogen, a mono- or polyhalogenated C₁₋₁₂-alkyl, a mono- or         polyhalogenated C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl, a C₁₋₁₂-alkyl or a         C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl);     -   R₁ represents a mono- or polyhalogenated C₁₋₁₂-alkyl, or a mono-         or poly-halogenated C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl group;     -   R₂ represents a C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl group or an aryl group         substituted or not by one or several elements selected from the         group consisting of (halogen, C₁₋₁₂-alkyl, C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl, R₁,         hydroxy, C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₁₋₆-alkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, nitro, amino,         cyano, cyanomethyl, perhalomethyl, C₁₋₆-monoalkyl- or         dialkylamino, sulfamoyl, C₁₋₆-alkylthio, C₁₋₆-alkylsulfonyl,         C₁₋₆-alkylsulfinyl, formyl, C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino, R₅arylthio,         R₅arylsulfinyl, R₅arylsulfonyl, C₁₋₆-alkoxycarbonyl,         C₁₋₆-alkoxycarbonyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, carbamyl, carbamylmethyl,         C₁₋₆-monoalkyl- or dialkylaminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆-monoalkyl- or         dialkylaminothiocarbonyl, ureido, C₁₋₆-monoalkyl- or         dialkylaminocarbonylamino, thioureido, C₁₋₆-monoalkyl- or         dialkylaminothiocarbonylamino, C₁₋₆-monoalkyl- or         dialkylaminosulfonyl, carboxy, carboxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, acyl, R₅aryl,         R₅arylalkyl, R₅aryloxy),     -   where R₅ denotes one or several elements selected from the group         consisting of (hydrogen, C₁₋₆-alkyl, halogen, hydroxy or         C₁₋₆-alkoxy).     -   “C₁₋₆-alkyl” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to         a straight or branched, saturated hydrocarbon chain having 1 to         6 carbon atoms such as methyl, propyl, butyl, isopentyl, hexyl,         1-methylbutyl, 1,2-dimethylbutyl, 2-ethylbutyl, 2-methylpentyl,         3-methylpentyl and the like.     -   “C₁₋₁₂-alkyl” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to         a straight or branched, saturated hydrocarbon chain having 1 to         12 carbon atoms.     -   “C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl” as used herein refers to a radical of a         saturated cyclic hydrocarbon chain having 3 to 8 carbon atoms         such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and         the like.     -   “C₁₋₆-alkoxy” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to         a straight or branched monovalent substituent comprising a         C₁₋₆-alkyl group linked through an ether oxygen having its free         valence bond from the ether oxygen and having 1 to 6 carbon         atoms such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy,         pentoxy, tert-butoxy and the like.     -   “C₁₋₆-alkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl” as used herein refers to a group of         2–12 carbon atoms interrupted by an oxygen atom such as         —CH₂—O—CH₃, —CH₂CH₂O—CH₃, —CH₂—O—CH₂CH₃, —CH₂—O—CH(CH₃)₂,         —CH₂CH₂—O—CH(CH₃)₂, —CH(CH₃)CH₂—O—CH₃ and the like.         CH(CH₃)CH₂—O—CH₃ and the like.     -   “halogen” means fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.     -   “perhalomethyl” means trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl,         tribromomethyl or triiodomethyl.     -   “C₁₋₆-monoalkylamino” as used herein refers to an amino group         wherein one of the hydrogen atoms is substituted with a straight         or branched, saturated hydrocarbon chain having 1 to 6 carbon         atoms such as methylamino, ethylamino, propylamino,         isopropylamino, butylamino, tert-butylamino, isopentylamino,         hexylamino and the like.     -   “C₁₋₆-dialkylamino” as used herein refers to an amino group         wherein the two hydrogen atoms independently are substituted         with a straight or branched, saturated hydrocarbon chain having         1 to 6 carbon atoms such as dimethylamino,         N-ethyl-N-methylamino, N-methyl-N-isopropylamino,         N-butyl-N-methylamino, dihexylamino and the like.     -   “C₁₋₆alkylthio” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers         to a straight or branched monovalent substituent comprising a         C₁₋₆-alkyl group linked through a divalent sulfur atom having         its free valence bond from the sulfur atom and having 1 to 6         carbon atoms such as methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio,         isopropylthio, butylthio, pentylthio, 3-methylpentylthio and the         like.     -   “C₁₋₆-alkylsulfonyl” as used herein refers to a monovalent         substituent comprising a C₁₋₆alkyl group linked through a         sulfonyl group (—S(═O)₂—) such as methylsulfonyl, ethylsulfonyl,         propylsulfonyl, isopropylsulfonyl, butylsulfonyl,         pentylsulfonyl, 2-methylpentylsulfonyl and the like.     -   “C₁₋₆-alkylsulfinyl” as used herein refers to a monovalent         substituent comprising a C₁₋₆-alkyl group linked through a         sulfinyl group (—S(═O)—) such as methylsulfinyl, ethylsulfinyl,         propylsulfinyl, isopropylsulfinyl, tert-butylsulfinyl,         pentylsulfinyl, 2-ethylbutylsulfinyl and the like.     -   “acyl” as used herein refers to a monovalent substituent         comprising a C₁₋₆-alkyl group linked through a carbonyl group         such as acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, isobutyryl, pivaloyl,         valeryl and the like.     -   “C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino” as used herein refers to an amino         group wherein one of the hydrogen atoms is substituted with an         acyl group such as acetamido, propionamido,         iospopropylcarbonylamino 2-ethylbutylcarbonylamino and the like.     -   “aryl” as used herein refers to phenyl, 1-naphthyl, or         2-naphthyl.     -   “arylthio” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to an         aryl group linked through a divalent sulfur atom having its free         valence bond from the sulfur atom, the aryl group is substituted         or not by one or several elements of R₅ such as phenylthio,         1-naphthylthio, 2-methylphenylthio, 3-methoxyphenylthio and the         like.     -   “arylsulfinyl” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers         to an aryl group linked through a sulfinyl group (—S(═O)—), the         aryl group is substituted or not by one or several elements of         R₅ such as phenylsulfinyl, 2-methylphenylsulfinyl,         3-chloro-1-naphthylsulfinyl and the like.     -   “arylsulfonyl” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers         to an aryl group linked through a sulfonyl group (—S(═O)₂—), the         aryl group is substituted or not by one or several elements of         R₅ such as phenylsulfonyl, 2-methylphenylsulfonyl,         4-iodophenylsulfonyl, 2-naphthylsulfonyl and the like.     -   “C₁₋₆-alkoxycarbonyl” as used herein refers to a monovalent         substituent comprising a C₁₋₆-alkoxy group linked through a         carbonyl group such as methoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl,         butoxycarbonyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl, 2-methylpentoxycarbonyl and         the like.     -   “C₁₋₆-monoalkylaminocarbonyl” as used herein refers to a         monovalent substituent comprising a C₁₋₆-monoalkylamino group         linked through a carbonyl group such as methylaminocarbonyl,         isopropylaminocarbonyl, butylaminocarbonyl,         2-methylbutylaminocarbonyl and the like.     -   “C₁₋₆-dialkylaminocarbonyl” as used herein refers to a         monovalent substituent comprising a C₁₋₆-dialkylamino group         linked through a carbonyl group such as dimethylaminocarbonyl,         diethylaminocarbonyl N-methyl-N-isopropylaminocarbonyl,         N-methyl-N-butylaminocarbonyl,         N-propyl-N-2-methylbutylaminocarbonyl and the like.     -   “C₁₋₆-monoalkylaminothiocarbonyl” as used herein refers to a         monovalent substituent comprising a C₁₋₆-monoalkylamino group         linked through a thiocarbonyl group such as         methylaminothiocarbonyl, isopropylaminothiocarbonyl,         butylaminothiocarbonyl, 3-methylpentylaminothiocarbonyl,         1,2-dimethylbutylaminothiocarbonyl and the like.     -   “C₁₋₆-dialkylaminothiocarbonyl” as used herein refers to a         monovalent substituent comprising a C₁₋₆-dialkylamino group         linked through a thiocarbonyl group such as         dimethylaminothiocarbonyl, diethylaminothiocarbonyl         N-methyl-N-isopropylaminothiocarbonyl,         N-methyl-N-butylaminothiocarbonyl         N-tert-butyl-N-hexylaminothiocarbonyl and the like.     -   “C₁₋₆-monoalkylaminocarbonylamino” as used herein refers to an         amino group wherein one of the hydrogen atoms is substituted         with a C₁₋₆-monoalkylaminocarbonyl group such as         methylaminocarbonylamino, ethylaminocarbonylamino,         propylaminocarbonylamino, 3-methylbutylaminocarbonylamino,         1,2-dimethylbutylaminocarbonylamino and the like.     -   “C₁₋₆-dialkylaminocarbonylamino” as used herein refers to an         amino group wherein one of the hydrogen atoms is substituted         with a C₁₋₆-dialkylaminocarbonyl group such as         dimethylaminocarbonylamino, diethylaminocarbonylamino,         N-methyl-N-ethylaminocarbonylamino,         N-methyl-N-isopropylaminocarbonylamino,         N-propyl-N-pentylaminocarbonylamino and the like.     -   “C₁₋₆-monoalkylaminothiocarbonylamino” as used herein refers to         an amino group wherein one of the hydrogen atoms is substituted         with a C₁₋₆-monoalkylaminothiocarbonyl group such as         methylaminothiocarbonlamino, ethylaminothiocarbonylamino,         propylaminothiocarbonylamino,         3-methylpentylaminothiocarbonylamino and the like.     -   “C₁₋₆-dialkylaminothiocarbonylamino” as used herein refers to an         amino group wherein one of the hydrogen atoms is substituted         with a C₁₋₆ dialkylaminothiocarbonyl group such as         dimethylaminothiocarbonylamino, diethylaminothiocarbonylamino,         N-methyl-N-ethylaminothiocarbonylamino,         N-methyl-N-propylaminothiocarbonylamino,         N-isopropyl-N-hexylaminothiocarbonylamino,         N-3-methylpentyl-N-pentylaminothiocarbonylamino and the like.     -   “C₁₋₆-monoalkylaminosulfonyl” as used herein refers to a         monovalent substituent comprising a C₁₋₆-monoalkylamino group         linked through a sulfonyl group such as methylaminosulfonyl,         ethylaminosulfonyl, propylaminosulfonyl, hexylaminosulfonyl,         tert-butylaminosulfonyl, 1,2-dimethylbutylaminosulfonyl and the         like.     -   “C₁₋₆-dialkylaminosulfonyl” as used herein refers to a         monovalent substituent comprising a C₁₋₆-dialkylamino group         linked through a sulfonyl group such as dimethylaminosulfonyl,         diethylaminosulfonyl, N-methyl-N-ethylaminosulfonyl         N-methyl-N-propylaminosulfonyl,         N-hexyl-N-3-methylbutylaminosulfonyl and the like.     -   “ureido” as used herein means —NH—CO—NH₂.     -   “thioureido” as used herein means —NH—CS—NH₂.     -   “arylalkyl” as used herein refers to a straight or branched         saturated carbon chain containing from 1 to 6 carbons         substituted with an aromatic carbohydride the aryl group is         substituted or not by one or several elements of R₅.     -   “aryloxy” as used herein refers to phenoxy, 1-naphthyloxy or         2-naphthyloxy, the aryl group is substituted or not by one or         several elements of R₅.     -   “R₅aryl as used herein refers to aryl substituted or not by R₅.

This invention also refers to all optical isomers of pyridinic sulfonamides derivatives covered by the formula (I), particularly the optically active isomers, and their mixtures including racemic mixtures thereof. When in the general formula (I), one has an asymetrical carbon atom, the invention refers as well to pure optical isomers than to racemic mixture.

The invention refers also to tautomeric forms of the pyridinic sulfonamide derivatives and to pharmacologically acceptable salts of the derivatives covered by formula (I).

By pharmacologically acceptable salts of the derivatives, one means pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts, pharmaceutically acceptable metal salts or optionally alkylated ammonium salts.

Preferred classes of pyridine sulfonamides derivatives according to the general formula are especially those in which R₁ is trifluoromethyl.

The most preferred pyridine sulfonamide is N-(3-phenoxy-4-pyridinyl)trifluoromethanesulfonamide.

In another aspect, the invention also relates to a method of producing the above mentioned derivatives. The method comprises the steps of

-   -   a) converting into pyridine N-oxide, a pyridinic compound         unsubstituted in position 4 and     -   b) reacting the resulted pyridine N-oxide with a nitration         reagent to obtain a 4-nitrosubstituted pyridine N-oxide         derivative.

The pyridinic compound may be any pyridinic derivative unsubstituted in position 4 and susceptible to react with an oxydant such as H₂O₂.

The pyridinic compound unsubstituted in the 4-position may be for example 3-bromopyridine or 3-methylpyridine as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Conversion of pyridinic compound into the pyridine N-oxyde is described for example in Organic Syntheses, Coll. Vol, IV, p 828, 1963.

By nitration agent one means a mixture from 1:1 to 1:2 parts of concentrated nitric acid and concentrated sulphuric acid to be added between RT to 100° C. and under continuous stirring to the pyridine N-oxide.

The method of production of the pyridinic sulfonamide derivatives is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein.

FIG. 1 represents a schematic synthesis of compounds with an O, S, SO, SO₂, NR₃ and CR₃R₄ linkage and

FIG. 2 represents a schematic synthesis of compounds with a CO and CH₂ linkage.

FIG. 1

The pyridine N-oxide of formula 1a may be prepared from 3-bromopyridine which can be oxidized using several oxidants such as H₂O₂. The nitration at the 4-position of the pyridine N-oxide can be achieved by a mixture of nitric and sulphuric acids to form 1b. The synthesis of 1c may be realized by reaction of 1b with a cycloalkane derivative such as a cyclopentane, a cyclohexane, a cycloheptane derivative or a benzene derivative in presence of a suitable inorganic base such as K₂CO₃ or NaOH in an inert solvent such as acetonitrile or dichloromethane. The nitropyridine N-oxide 1c is converted into the aminopyridine 1d via a reduction reaction using a reductant such as iron in presence of acetic acid. For this reaction, water may be added to the mixture and the temperature may be ranging from room temperature to the reflux of the solvent. The synthesis of the sulfonamide 1e is completed by reaction of the amino-substituted pyridine derivative 1d and the appropriate sulfonyl derivative such as sulfonyl chloride, sulfonyl fluoride or sulfonic anhydride in presence of a suitable inorganic base such as K₂CO₃ or NaOH in an inert anhydrous solvent such as acetonitrile, dioxane or dichloromethane. The oxidation of 1e use an oxidant such as H₂O₂ to form 1f.

The synthesis of the sulfoxide and the sulfone family 1i and 1j is realized throughout oxidation of the thio derivative 1c by an oxidant such as meta-chloroperbenzoic acid to form 1g. This oxidation is followed by a reduction (1h) and the formation of the sulfonamide (1i) and finally by an oxidation (1j) of the pyridine comparable to the methods used for the preparation of 1d, 1e and 1f.

FIG. 2:

The synthesis of the ceto derivatives is achieved by the pathway of scheme 2. This scheme begins by an oxidation of 3-methylpyridine by hydrogen peroxide in presence of acetic acid (2a). Nitration by nitric acid and sulphuric acid at the 4-position of the N-oxide lead to the formation of 2b. The methyl group of 2b is oxidized by KMnO₄ to produce the carboxylic acid 2c. The synthesis of the cyano derivative 2d is achieved in three steps. The first one is a conversion of carboxylic acid into carboxylic halide by SOCl₂. The second is the formation of carboxamide and the last step is a deshydration of the amide to form the nitrile 2d. The ceto linkage is prepared by reaction between 2d and an organosmagnesium compound such as an alkyl magnesium bromide or an aryl magnesium bromide. The ceto group is then protected as an acetal by reaction of 2e and ethyleneglycol in an acidic medium. After that, the nitro group and the N-oxide of 2f is reduced by iron in presence of acetic acid to produce 2g. This compound reacts with the appropriate sulfonyl chloride such as an alkyl or an aryl sulfonyl chloride to form the sulfonamide 2h. The acetal may be hydrolysed to generate the ceto compound 2i. The last step is an oxidation of the pyridine 2i by H₂O₂ to form 2j. Conversion of the ceto compounds into the corresponding methylene derivatives is achieved by a Wolff-Kishner reaction as described in Organic Reactions, Vol IV, p 378, 1948.

The method of production is also illustrated by examples hereafter.

Elemental analyses (C,H,N,S) have been realised and correspond to the theoretical formula (+/−0.4%). IR and ¹H-NMR spectra are in accordance with proposed formulas.

The Infra-red spectra (IR) made on 1 mg of different substances have been recorded by means of a FT-IR Perkin Elmer 1750 and KBr pellets of 250 mg.

After dissolution in DMSO-d₆, the ¹H-NMR spectrum of different molecules has been recorded on a Bruker 400 apparatus.

Melting points of obtained molecules have been determined on a Büchi-Tottoli apparatus.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of N-(3-phenoxy-4-pyridinyl)trifluoromethane-sulfonamide (Compound I)

-   Step 1: To 1.58 g of 3-bromopyridine (10 mmol) dissolved in 6 mL of     glacial acetic acid, 4 mL of 30% hydrogen peroxide are added. The     solution is heated with reflux for 48 hours. The solvent is     evaporated under depression. The residue is purified by column     chromatography using ethyl acetate as eluent.

Yield: 64% (oil).

IR (KBr): 3109 (C—H), 1595 (C═N), 1468 (C═C), 1292 (N—O) cm⁻¹

-   Step 2: To 1.74 g of 3-bromopyridine N-oxide dissolved in 4 mL of     concentrated sulphuric acid, a mixture of 4 mL of concentrated     sulphuric acid and 6.7 mL of concentrated nitric acid is added under     continuous stirring. The solution is heated at 90° C. for 90     minutes. Then the solution is poured into ice and supplemented with     a 50% aqueous solution of NaOH until complete precipitation of the     final compound. The yellow solid is filtered off and washed with     water to give 1.51 g of 3-bromo-4-nitropyridine N-oxide.

Yield: 69%. mp: 149° C. IR (KBr): 3099 (C—H), 1589 (C═N), 1552, 1338 (NO₂), 1295 (N—O), 643 (C—Br) cm⁻¹

-   Step 3: 4.8 mL of 10% aqueous solution of NaOH are added to 1.12 g     of phenol. After stirring for 5 minutes, water is evaporated under     reduced pressure. A white solid is obtained and taken up by 10 mL of     acetonitrile and the resulting suspension is supplemented with 2.19     g of 3-bromo-4-nitropyridine N-oxide. The obtained mixture is heated     under reflux during 5 minutes. The mixture is further poured into     ice and extracted with ethyl acetate. Organic layers are collected     and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulphate. After evaporation of     the solvent, a solid residue is purified by column chromatography     using ethyl acetate as eluent to give 1.27 g of a yellow solid.

Yield: 54%. mp: 109° C. IR (KBr): 3109 (C—H), 1606 (C═N), 1507, 1313 (NO₂), 1219 (N—O)cm⁻¹

-   Step 4: 2.32 g of 4-nitro-3-phenoxypyridine N-oxide dissolved in 55     mL of acetic acid and 14 mL of water are heated under reflux. Then     3.48 g of iron powder are added and the reflux is maintained for 12     hours. The solution is filtered and evaporated under reduced     pressure. An oily residue is taken up with water and pH adjusted to     10 by addition of a 10% aqueous solution of NaOH. The suspension is     filtered and the filtrate is extracted by ethyl acetate. Organic     layers are collected and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate.     After evaporation, 4-amino-3-phenoxypyridine is obtained as a yellow     oil.

Yield: 80–90%.

-   Step 5: To 1.81 g of 4-amino-3-phenoxypyridine dissolved in 112 mL     of dry acetonitrile are added 8.29 g anhydrous potassium carbonate.     The suspension is stirred for 5 minutes and 2.02 mL of     trifluoromethanesulfonyl chloride are added. The mixture is stirred     for 12 h, then filtered and the solvent evaporated under reduced     pressure. The residue is taken up with 10% aqueous solution of NaOH     and the pH of the solution is adjusted to 5 with 1N HCl to separate     2.53 g of a final compound as a white solid.

Yield: 80%; mp: 239° C.; IR (KBr): 2807, 2728, 2648 (N⁺—H), 1633 (C═N), 1473 (C═C), 1343, 1129 (SO₂) cm⁻¹; NMR ¹H (DMSO-d₆): δ6.95 (d, 2H, H-2′+H-6′), 7.11 (t, 1H, H4′), 7.36 (t, 2H, H-3′+H-5′), 7.81 (d, 1H, H-5), 8.30 (d, 1H, H-6), 8.43 (s, 1H, H-2), 13.90 (bs, N—H); Anal (C₁₂H₉N₂O₃SF₃) C, H, N, S.

EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of N-(3-(4-chlorophenoxy)-4-pyridinyl)trifluoromethanesulfonamide

-   Step 1 and step 2: similar to example 1 -   Step 3: 4 mL of a 10% aqueous solution of NaOH are added to 1.4 g of     4-chlorophenol. After stirring for 5 minutes, water is evaporated     under reduced pressure. A white solid is obtained and taken up by 10     mL of acetonitrile and the resulting suspension is supplemented with     2 g of 3-bromo-4-nitropyridine N-oxide to obtain a mixture which is     then heated under reflux for 5 minutes. The mixture is further     filtered and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure. A     solid is obtained and is dissolved in a minimum of methanol and     4-nitro-3-(4-chlorophenoxy)-pyridine N-oxide is precipitated by     addition of water. The precipitate is collected by filtration to     give 1.15 g of a yellow solid.

Yield: 47%. mp: 101–102° C. IR (KBr): 3117, 3029 (C—H), 1610 (C═N), 1213 (N—O), 1100 cm⁻¹

-   Step 4: 0.37 g of 4-nitro-3-(4-chlorophenoxy)-pyridine N-oxide     dissolved in 9 mL of acetic acid and 2 mL of water are heated under     reflux. To such warm solution are added 0.5 g of iron powder and the     reflux is maintained for 1 hour. A suspension is obtained and     filtered and the filtrate is evaporated under reduced pressure. An     oily residue is obtained and taken up with water and pH adjusted to     10 by addition of a 10% aqueous solution of NaOH. The resulting     suspension is filtered and the filtrate is extracted by ethyl     acetate. Organic layers are collected and dried over anhydrous     magnesium sulfate. After evaporation,     4-amino-3-(4-chlorophenoxy)pyridine is obtained as a yellow oil.

Yield: 80–90%.

-   Step 5: To 0.56 g of 4-amino-3-(4-chlorophenoxy)pyridine dissolved     in 20 mL of dry acetonitrile is added 1 g of anhydrous potassium     carbonate. The suspension is stirred for 5 minutes and 0.794 mL of     trifluoromethanesulfonyl chloride are added. The mixture is stirred     for 15 minutes, then filtered and the filtrate concentrated under     reduced pressure. The residue is taken up with a 10% aqueous     solution of NaOH and the pH of the solution is adjusted to 7 with 1N     HCl to separate 0.61 g of the final compound as a white solid which     is filtered, washed with water and dried.

Yield: 68%; mp: 222–223° C.; IR (KBr): 2810, 2732, 2648 (N⁺—H), 1636 (C═N), 1474 (C═C), 1344, 1130 (SO₂) cm⁻¹.

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of N-(3-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)-4-pyridinyl)trifluoromethanesulfonamide

-   Step 1 and tep 2: similar to example 1 -   Step 3: 4.32 mL of a 10% aqueous solution of NaOH are added to 1.76     g of 3,5-dichlorophenol. After stirring for 5 minutes, water is     evaporated under reduced pressure. A white solid is obtained and     taken up by 10 mL of acetonitrile and the suspension is supplemented     with 2 g of 3-bromo-4-nitropyridine N-oxide and then heated under     reflux for 20 hours. The mixture is filtered and the filtrate is     concentrated under reduced pressure. A solid is obtained and is     suspended in a minimum of cold methanol and     4-nitro-3-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)pyridine N-oxide is collected by     filtration to give 1.25 g of a yellow final solid.

Yield: 47%. mp: 160–161° C. IR (KBr): 3051, 3014 (C—H), 1610 (C═N), 1584, 1309 (NO₂), 1227 (N—O)cm⁻¹

-   Step 4: 0.95 g of 4-nitro-3-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)pyridine N-oxide     dissolved in 18 mL of acetic acid and 5 mL of water are heated under     reflux. To the warm solution are added 1.12 g of iron powder and the     reflux is maintained for 12 hours. The solution is filtered and the     filtrate is evaporated under reduced pressure. An oily residue is     obtained and taken up with water and the pH adjusted to 10 by     addition of a 10% aqueous solution of NaOH. The suspension is     filtered and the filtrate is extracted by ethyl acetate. Organic     layers are collected and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate.     After evaporation, 4-amino-3-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)pyridine is     obtained as a yellow oil.

Yield: 80–90%.

-   Step 5: To 0.45 g of 4-amino-3-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)pyridine     dissolved in 20 mL of dry acetonitrile are added 0.73 g anhydrous     potassium carbonate. The suspension is stirred for 5 minutes and     0.551 mL of trifluoromethanesulfonyl chloride are added. The mixture     is stirred for 30 minutes, then filtered and the filtrate     concentrated under reduced pressure. A residue is obtained and taken     up with a 10% aqueous solution of NaOH and the pH of the solution is     adjusted to 7 with 1N HCl to separate 0.33 g of the final compound     as a white solid which is filtered, washed with water and dried.

Yield: 49%; mp: 219–220° C.; IR (KBr): 2921, 2820, 2653 (N^(+—H),) 1633 (C═N), 1486 (C—C), 1344, 1126 (SO₂) cm⁻¹.

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of N-(3-(4-bromophenoxy)-4-pyridinyl)trifluoromethanesulfonamide

-   Step 1 and step 2: similar to example 1 -   Step 3: 5.5 mL of a 10% aqueous solution of NaOH are added to 1.88 g     of 4-bromophenol. After stirring for 5 minutes, water is evaporated     under reduced pressure. A white solid is obtained and taken up by 10     mL of acetonitrile and the suspension is supplemented with 2 g of     3-bromo-4-nitropyridine N-oxide and then heated under reflux 5     minutes. The mixture is filtered and the filtrate is evaporated     under reduced pressure. A solid is obtained and is dissolved in a     minimum of methanol and 4-nitro-3-(4-bromophenoxy)-pyridine N-oxide     is precipitated by addition of water. The precipitated is collected     by filtration, washed with water and dried, to give 0.96 g of a     yellow solid.

Yield: 34%. mp: 124–125° C. IR (KBr): 3106 (C—H), 1605 (C═N), 1565, 1312 (NO₂), 1212 (N—O)cm⁻¹

-   Step 4: 3 g of 4-nitro-3-(4-bromophenoxy)-pyridine N-oxide dissolved     in 72 mL of acetic acid and 18 mL of water are heated under reflux.     To the warm solution are added 4.2 g of iron powder and the reflux     is maintained for 12 hours. The solution is filtered and the     filtrate is evaporated under reduced pressure. Oily residue is     obtained and is taken up with water and the pH adjusted to 10 by     addition of a 10% aqueous solution of NaOH. The suspension is     filtered and the filtrate is extracted by ethyl acetate. Organic     layers are collected and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate.     After evaporation, 4-amino-3-(4-bromophenoxy)-pyridine is obtained     as a yellow oil.

Yield: 80–90%.

-   Step 5: To 0.2 g of 4-amino-3-(4-bromophenoxy)-pyridine dissolved in     20 mL of dry acetonitrile are added 2.25 g anhydrous potassium     carbonate.

The suspension is stirred for 5 minutes and 0.235 mL of trifluoromethanesulfonyl chloride are added. The mixture is stirred for 1 hour, then filtered and the filtrate concentrated under reduced pressure. A residue is taken up with a 10% aqueous solution of NaOH and the pH of the solution is adjusted to 7 with 1N HCl to separate 0.21 g of the final compound as a white solid.

Yield: 70%; mp: 245–246° C.; IR (KBr): 2809, 2732, 2648 (N⁺—H), 1635 (C═N), 1473 (C═C), 1344, 1130 (SO₂) cm⁻¹.

EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of N-(3-(3-chlorophenoxy)-4-pyridinyl)trifluoromethanesulfonamide

-   Step 1 and step 2: similar to example 1 -   Step 3: 4 mL of a 10% aqueous solution of NaOH are added to 1.4 g of     3-chlorophenol. After stirring for 5 minutes, water is evaporated     under reduced pressure. A white solid is obtained and taken up by 40     mL of acetonitrile and the suspension is supplemented with 2 g of     3-bromo-3-nitropyridine N-oxide and then heated under reflux for 5     minutes. The mixture is filtered and the filtrate is concentrated     under reduced pressure. A solid is obtained and is dissolved in a     minimum of cold methanol and 4-nitro-3-(3-chlorophenoxy)-pyridine     N-oxide is collected by filtration to give 1.06 g of a yellow solid.

Yield: 42%. mp: 105–106° C. IR (KBr): 3056 (C—H), 1604 (C═N), 1568, 1318 (NO₂), 1219 (N—O)cm⁻¹

-   Step 4: 1 g of 4-nitro-3-(3-chlorophenoxy)-pyridine N-oxide     dissolved in 20 mL of acetic acid and 6 mL of water are heated under     reflux. To the warm solution are added 2.98 g of iron powder and     then heated under reflux for 3 hours. The suspension is filtered and     the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure. Oily residue is     obtained and taken up with water and the pH adjusted to 10 by     addition of a 10% aqueous solution of NaOH. The suspension is     filtered and the filtrate is extracted by ethyl acetate. Organic     layers are collected and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate.     After evaporation, 4-amino-3-(3-chlorophenoxy)pyridine is obtained     as a yellow oil.

Yield: 90%.

-   Step 5: To 0.2 g of 4-amino-3-(3-chlorophenoxy)pyridine dissolved in     15 mL of dry dichloromethane are added 0.5 mL of triethylamine. The     solution is stirred for 5 minutes and 0.19 mL of     trifluoromethanesulfonyl chloride are added. The mixture is stirred     for 12 h, then filtered and the filtrate concentrated under reduced     pressure. The residue is taken up with a 10% aqueous solution of     NaOH and the pH of the solution is adjusted to 7 with 1N HCl to     separate 0.2 g of the final compound as a white solid which is     filtered, washed with water and dried.

Yield: 73%; mp: 198–199° C.; IR (KBr): 2896, 2815, 2650 (N⁺—H), 1632 (C═N), 1473 (C═C), 1343, 1129 (SO₂) cm⁻¹.

EXAMPLE 6 Preparation of N-(3-thiophenoxy-4-pyridinyl)trifluoromethanesulfonamide

-   Step 1 and step 2: similar to example 1 -   Step 3: 2 mL of thiophenol is dissolved in 80 mL of toluene. 2.5 g     of K₂CO₃ is added and the suspension is heated until reflux occur.     Then, 4 g of 3-bromo-4-nitropyridine N-oxide is added and the reflux     is maintained for 2 hours. The mixture is filtered and the filtrate     is concentrated under reduced pressure. A residue is taken up by a     minimum of cold ethanol and 4-nitro-3-thiophenoxypyridine N-oxide is     collected by filtration to give 2.52 g of a yellow solid.

Yield: 55%. mp: 147–148° C. IR (KBr): 3065 (C—H), 1588 (C═N), 1548, 1329 (NO₂), 1230 (N—O)cm⁻¹

-   Step 4: 0.5 g of 4-nitro-3-thiophenoxypyridine N-oxide dissolved in     20 mL of glacial acetic acid are heated under reflux. To the warm     solution are added 0.37 g of iron powder and the reflux is     maintained for 2 hours. The solution is filtered and the filtrate     concentrated under reduced pressure. Oily residue is obtained and     taken up with water and the pH adjusted to 10 by addition of a 10%     aqueous solution of NaOH solution. The suspension is filtered and     the filtrate is extracted by ethyl acetate. Organic layers are     collected and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. After     evaporation, 4-amino-3-thiophenoxypyridine is obtained as a yellow     oil.

Yield: 90%.

-   Step 5: To 0.45 g of 4-amino-3-thiophenoxypyridine dissolved in 20     mL of dry acetonitrile are added 1.84 g anhydrous potassium     carbonate. The suspension is stirred for 5 minutes and 0.47 mL of     trifluoromethanesulfonyl chloride are added. The mixture is stirred     for 4 h, then filtered and acetonitrile is evaporated under reduced     pressure. The residue is taken up with a 10% aqueous solution of     NaOH and the pH of the solution is adjusted to 5 with 1N HCl to     separate 0.36 g of the final compound as a white solid which is     filtered, washed with water and dried.

Yield: 50%; mp: 188–189° C.; IR (KBr): 2807, 2728, 2648 (N⁺—H), 1633 (C═N), 1473 (C═C), 1343, 1129 (SO₂

The invention also refers to the use of the pyridinic sulfonamides derivatives covered by formula (1) and their salts for drug manufacture for treatment and/or prevention of diseases such as inflammation, arthrosis, cancer, angiogenesis and asthma and for other pathologies in which they can play a role of COX-2 selective inhibitor.

Prostaglandins (PG) are key mediators involved in the inflammation processes. According to Bergström, S.; Ryhage, R.; Samuelsson, B.; Sjövall, J. in J. Bio. Chem., 1963, 238, 3555–3563, prostaglandins are synthesized by cyclooxygenases (COXs) from arachidonic acid.

Different classes of anti-inflammatory drugs on the market inhibit the synthesis of PG by inhibiting those enzymes.

The COX enzymes exist under two distinct isoforms. COX-1 is a constitutive enzyme responsible for physiological production of PG. This enzyme is involved in several homeostatic processes and is thus considered as a “house keeping” enzyme. In contrast, COX-2 is an inducible enzyme which is mainly produced during inflammation processes. Furthermore, according to Crofford L., Lipsky P., Brooks P., Abramson S., Simon L., van de Putte L. in. Arthritis Rheum., 2000, 43, 4–13, COX-2 is expressed during different pathologies such as arthrosis, angiogenesis and asthma.

A problem with the inhibition of COX-1 by common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) is its side effects such as gastric ulceration.

The present invention deals with the use of new COX-2 selective inhibitors represented by the pyridinic sulfonamide derivatives described above. Such new COX-2 selective inhibitors advantageously does not exhibit such side effects.

The pyridinic sulfonamide derivatives described above have been evaluated as COX inhibitors on one in vitro test and on one in vivo test. For the in vitro assay the methodology is described by X. de Leval, J. Delarge, P. Devel, P. Neven, C. Michaux, B. Masereel, B. Pirotte, J.-L. David, Y. Henrotin, J.-M. Dogné. in Prostaglandins, Leukot., Essent. Fatty Acids, 2001, 64, 211–216.

Pharmacological evaluations of N-(3-phenoxy-4-pyridinyl)trifluoro-methanesulfonamide (compound 1) are recorded in

Table 1 which describes Estimated IC₅₀ for compound 1 on whole blood assay

IC₅₀ IC₅₀ COX-1 COX-2 IC₅₀ COX-1/ compound (μM) (μM) IC₅₀ COX-2 1 2.2 0.4 5.28

The activity of the derivatives has also been evaluated by using a rat paw oedema pharmacological model.

In Carrageenin-induced rat paw oedema model, Wistar rats were used. The mean weight of the animals was 250 g. The animals were treated with an intraperitoneal injection of the drug at the appropriate concentration (solution at the concentration of 10 mg/mL in DMSO). Lambda carrageenin (0.1 mL; 1%) was injected one hour later in the plantar region of the right hand paw. Three hours thereafter, the rats were euthanasied by injection of nembutal (100 mg/kg) and the paws were cutted at the ankle. The swelling was calculated as a percentage increase in the weight of the control paw.

Table 2 reports the effect of compound 1 on rat paw oedema

compound 5 (mg/kg) 10 (mg/kg) 30 (mg/kg) Control 1 101.0 ± 8.1 74.7 ± 7.2 54.1 ± 17.5 96 ± 8.7

Results are expressed as percentage of growth of the paw after injection of carrageneen (mean±standard deviation, n=6).

Those tables clearly show that compound 1 is active as COX-2 inhibitor and presents an anti-inflammatory effect in vivo.

The invention also refers to a Pharmaceutical composition comprising a pyridinic sulfonamide derivative or a pharmaceutical acceptable salt thereof with a pharmaceutical acceptable acid or base, or any optical isomer or mixture of optical isomers, including a racemic mixture or any tautomeric form together with one or more acceptable carriers or diluents.

The pharmaceutical composition may be in a form of an oral dosage unit or parenteral dosage unit. 

1. A pyridinic sulfonamide derivative represented by a formula (I):

wherein A represents a Nitrogen or a —N═O group; X represents Oxygen, Sulphur or an element selected from the group consisting of —NR₃, —CR₃R₄, —SO, —SO₂, and —CO; wherein R₃ and R₄ which can be identical or different, denotes each independently one element selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a mono- or polyhalogenated C₁₋₁₂-alkyl, a mono- or polyhalogenated C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl, a C₁₋₁₂-alkyl and a C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl; R₁ represents a mono- or polyhalogenated C₁₋₁₂-alkyl or a mono or poly-halogenated C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl group; R₂ represents a C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl group or a non-substituted aryl group or an aryl group wherein one or more of hydrogen atom(s) of the aryl group is/are substituted by one of the elements selected from the group consisting of halogen, C₁₋₁₂-alkyl, C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl, R₁, hydroxy, C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₁₋₆-alkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, nitro, amino, cyano, cyanomethyl; perhalomethyl, C₁₋₆-monoalkyl- or dialkylamino, sulfamoyl, C₁₋₆-alkylthio, C₁₋₆-alkylsulfonyl, C₁₋₆-alkylsulfinyl, formyl, C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino, R₅-arylthio, R₅-arylsulfinyl, R₅-arylsulfonyl, C₁₋₆-alkoxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆-alkoxycarbonyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl; carbamyl; carbamylmethyl; C₁₋₆-monoalkyl- or dialkylaminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆-monoalkyl- or dialkylaminothiocarbonyl, ureido, C₁₋₆-monoalkyl- or dialkylaminocarbonylamino, thioureido, C₁₋₆-monoalkyl- or dialkylaminothiocarbonylamino, C₁₋₆-monoalkyl- or dialkylaminosulfonyl, carboxy, carboxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, acyl, R₅-aryl, R₅-arylalkyl, and R₅-aryloxy, where R₅ denotes one or several elements selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₆-alkyl, halogen, hydroxy and C₁₋₆-alkoxy.
 2. The pyridinic sulfonamide derivative according to claim 1 characterised in that R₁ is trifluoromethyl.
 3. The pyridinic sulfonamide derivative according to claim 2 characterised in that A is Nitrogen, X is oxygen, R₁ is trifluoromethyl and R₂ is phenyl.
 4. A method of producing a pyridinic sulfonamide derivative comprising the steps of a) providing, a pyridinic compound unsubstituted in position 4; and b) reacting the pyridinic compound with an oxidant to obtain a corresponding pyridine N-oxide; c) reacting the resulted pyridine N-oxide with a nitration reagent to obtain a 4-nitrosubstituted pyridine N-oxide derivative; d) obtaining a 4-amino-pyridine derivative from the 4-nitrosubstituted pyridine N-oxide derivative through a reduction reaction; e) reacting the 4-amino-pyridine derivative with a sulfonyl derivative to obtain a pyridinic sulphonamide derivative as represented by a formula (I):

wherein A represents a Nitrogen or a —N═O group; X represents Oxygen, Sulphur or an element selected from the group consisting of —NR₃, —CR₃R₄, —SO, —SO₂, and —CO—; wherein R₃ and R₄ which can be identical or different, denotes each independently one element selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a mono- or polyhalogenated C₁₋₁₂-alkyl, a mono- or polyhalogenated C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl, a C₁₋₁₂-alkyl and a C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl; R₁ represents a mono- or polyhalogenated C₁₋₁₂-alkyl or a mono or poly-halogenated C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl group; R₂ represents a C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl group or a non-substituted aryl group or an aryl group wherein one or more of hydrogen atom(s) of the aryl group is/are substituted by one of the elements selected from the group consisting of halogen, C₁₋₁₂-alkyl, C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl, R₁, hydroxy, C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₁₋₆-alkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, nitro, amino, cyano, cyanomethyl; perhalomethyl, C₁₋₆-monoalkyl- or dialkylamino, sulfamoyl, C₁₋₆-alkylthio, C₁₋₆-alkylsulfonyl, C₁₋₆-alkylsulfinyl, formyl, C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino, R₅-arylthio, R₅-arylsulfinyl, R₅-arylsulfonyl, C₁₋₆-alkoxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆-alkoxycarbonyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl; carbamyl; carbamylmethyl; C₁₋₆-monoalkyl- or dialkylaminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆-monoalkyl- or dialkylaminothiocarbonyl, ureido, C₁₋₆-monoalkyl- or dialkylaminocarbonylamino, thioureido, C₁₋₆-monoalkyl- or dialkylaminothiocarbonylamino, C₁₋₆-monoalkyl- or dialkylaminosulfonyl, carboxy, carboxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, acyl, R₅-aryl, R₅-arylalkyl, R₅-aryloxy, where R₅ denotes one or several elements selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₆-alkyl, halogen, hydroxy and C₁₋₆-alkoxy.
 5. A method of treating inflammation comprising the step of administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of pyridinic sulfonamide derivative according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base or an optical isomer or a mixture of optical isomers, or a tautomeric form.
 6. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of pyridinic sulfonamide derivative according to claim 1 or a pharmaceutical acceptable salt thereof with a pharmaceutical acceptable acid or base, or any optical isomer or a mixture of optical isomers, or tautomeric form together with one or more acceptable carriers or diluents.
 7. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 6 in a form of an oral dosage unit or parenteral dosage unit.
 8. A method of treating inflammation comprising administering an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition according to claim
 6. 